SHANE Warne claimed five wickets and Matthew Hayden compiled a superb hundred as Australia dug deep to haul themselves back into contention in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

SHANE Warne claimed five wickets and Matthew Hayden compiled a superb hundred as Australia dug deep to haul themselves back into contention in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

A five-wicket haul on his return to Test cricket delighted Warne, before Hayden clubbed a superb 106 not out as Australia closed the third day of the first Test on 193 for two in their second innings, a narrow lead of 32 over their hosts.

The world's top-ranked team had looked to be in trouble at the start when Sri Lanka boasted a lead of 132 with four first-innings wickets still in hand.

But Warne, back in the Test team following a 12-month suspension imposed for taking a banned diuretic, took three quick wickets in the morning session to help bowl Sri Lanka out for 381, limiting their lead to 161.